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Founded in 1956, the first issue of 16 hit the newsstands in May 1957, with Elvis Presley on the cover.[1]

However, its longtime editor-in-chief, former fashion model and subscriptions clerk Gloria Stavers, transformed 16 from a standard general-interest movie magazine into a major fan magazine focused on the preteen female as its primary reader base. Stavers was editor from 1958 until 1975.[2] She chose to cater to that particular demographic because of the many fan letters she had read from girls aged nine through 12 writing to popular celebrities in care of the magazine, and she remembered how she felt at that age [3] and developed a formula to increase readership in that demographic.

16's covers attracted readers by featuring sensational and hyperbole-laden headlines such as "The Day He Almost DIED!", head shots of various male entertainers, and very whimsical artwork. Although the articles were printed on newsprint, 16 featured colorful, glossy pin-up poster art.

Prior to the 1970s, most of the pin-ups of the celebrities were kept clean-cut, but 16 began to increasingly sexualize the posters they featured, in keeping with the more permissive times. 16 Magazine also often offered contests that would award the winner an opportunity to have a "meet and greet" with their favorite performer.

Most of the articles and features tended to lean on the lighter side. Rather than asking the artist serious questions about musical influences and social issues, it would offer the readers interviews asking a celebrity about his favorite color or meal, or would have him describe his "ideal girl" or dream date. If he was married, in a long term relationship, or not heterosexual in orientation, that information was kept out of the magazine, as was any news about the celebrity that even hinted at scandal.

In 1997, in honor of its 40th year of publication, former 16 Magazine editors Randi Reisfeld and music critic Danny Fields published the commemorative book "Who's Your Fave Rave?", a retrospective of 16 and a biography on its long-time editor styled to resemble an issue of the magazine. There was also an accompanying CD of the same name, featuring many of the pop acts promoted in the magazine throughout the years.

Despite the lack of serious journalistic content and fierce competition from Tiger Beat and other celebrity magazines, 16 remained the top-selling teen celebrity magazine for many years.

For at least 30 years of its publication, 16 Magazine was entirely self-supporting. In 2001, 16 became part of Primedia's Teen Magazines groups and is considered a monthly "specials" issue focusing on a specific topic or act.

Despite this, no regular or special issue of 16 Magazine was seen or published since, including online. By this time, newer teen magazines had taken over, such as J14, M Magazine, Popstar! Magazine, and the "resurrected" Tiger Beat.